Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Smiling in New Facebook Photos

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Sunday posted two new photos to her Facebook page, offering the first official look at the congresswoman from Arizona since she was shot in the head in January.

The two photos, which were captured by P. K. Weis on May 17, show a smiling Gifford at the TIRR Memorial Hermann, where she has been receiving treatment. In one photo, Gifford is seen sitting and smiling alongside her mother.

According to a rep for Giffords, the photos were released "to avoid a paparazzi situation," as there had been rumors that gossip site TMZ had offered $250,000 for photos of her.

Giffords was shot on Jan. 8 outside of a grocery store in Arizona, where she was holding a public event. Her alleged shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, has since been indicted on 49 counts, including murder and attempted murder for the incident that killed six people and wounded 14 others.